Organic and inorganic sources of zinc, copper and selenium in diets for dairy cows: intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition

Cristina Simões Cortinhas,Marcos Veiga Dos Santos,Marco Aurélio De Felicio Porcionato,José Esler De Freitas Júnior,Luís Felipe Prada E Silva,Francisco Palma Rennó,Julianne De Rezende Naves

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982012000600023

Cristina Simões Cortinhas, Marcos Veiga Dos Santos + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-35982012000600023

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Abstract

The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of feeding dairy cows with organic or inorganic sources of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) on blood concentrations of these minerals, blood metabolic profiles, nutrient intake and milk yield and composition. Nineteen Holstein cows were selected and randomly assigned to two groups for receiving organic (n = 9) or inorganic (n = 10) sources of Zn, Cu and Se from 60 days before the expected date of calving to 80 days of lactation. Samples of feed, orts and milk were collected for analysis. Body condition score (BCS) was determined and blood samples were collected for analysis of Zn, Cu and Se concentrations, as well as for metabolic profile. Supplying organic or inorganic sources of Zn, Cu, and Se did not affect dry matter and nutrient intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition, plasma concentration of these minerals, and BCS or change the BCS in cows from 60 days before the expected date of calving to 80 days of lactation. An effect of time was observed on all feed intake variables, plasma concentrations of Zn and Se, milk yield, milk protein content, BCS and change in BCS.

Highlights

The trace minerals zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) are involved in vitamin metabolism, protein synthesis and the immune system of animals (Cortinhas et al, 2010)
Due to illness in the postpartum period, five cows were excluded from the study
The cows were divided into two groups in a completely randomized design and matched according to calving number, BW, Body condition score (BCS) and milk yield in their previous lactation

Summary

Introduction

The trace minerals zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) are involved in vitamin metabolism, protein synthesis and the immune system of animals (Cortinhas et al, 2010). Trace mineral supplementation can affect health, reproductive status, immune function and lactation performance of dairy cows (Griffiths et al, 2007). Appropriate mineral nutrition can be used to optimize the health and productivity of dairy cows (Ashmead et al, 2004). Zinc plays an important role in DNA and RNA synthesis by increasing replication and cell proliferation (Spears et al, 2008), and in catalytic, structural and regulatory functions (McDowell, 2003). Copper has physiological functions related to cellular respiration, bone growth, heart function, development of connective tissue, myelination of the spinal cord and the processes of keratinization and pigmentation (McDowell, 2003). Selenium is involved mainly in antioxidant defense, immunity and metabolism of thyroid hormones (McDowell, 2003)

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